Chapter 28
Twenty-Eight
“Have you decided what you’re doing today?” I ask Ryan as I flit between the kitchen and the living room, making sure everything is perfect.
“Logan asked me to go with him to the prison to see Jackson. When everyone gets here, we’ll head out,” he says as he puts his mug in the dishwasher.
“Really? He never mentioned it at work this week.”
“I think it’s an impulsive decision, and he wants to go before he changes his mind. And possibly under the radar so their mother doesn’t know. He asked me to go with him in case they need a mediator.”
“You can do that?” I pause and tilt my head.
“I won’t be there in an official capacity. Just a friend who can help them stay on track. They have a lot of things to work through if they are going to repair their relationship.”
“Does Jackson know you both are coming?” The last time they saw each other, Jackson ended up with a broken nose. I didn’t think he would be interested in having a reunion soon.
“As far as I know, he does.”
“Huh.”
“Are you ready for book club? Do you need any help?” he asks as I light a cherry cheesecake-scented candle I placed in the centre of the long harvest table.
“I don’t think so.” At this point, I’m only creating work for myself. “I don’t know why I’m so nervous. It’s not like we don’t get together all the time.”
“I don’t think it’s weird at all.” He takes my hand in his and gives it a quick squeeze. “This is important to you. Have you ever hosted before?”
“No, we usually go to Hannah’s cabin. But now that I have space, I invited everyone here instead.”
“I’m sure it will be great,” he assures me.
My mouth curves into a broad smile when I hear a soft knock on the back door. My favourite five-year-old is here.
Opening it, I’m greeted by a wide-eyed Ben. He rushes through the door, followed by Claire.
“I can’t believe it,” he exclaims as he wrestles his coat off and drops it to the floor.
Crouching down to his height, I ask him, “What can’t you believe, buddy?”
Taking my cheeks in his tiny hands, he stares into my eyes.
“You live in the house with all the little men. Mommy and Uncle Riot told me, but I didn’t believe them because Logan lives here and he looooves the little men.
But then Auntie Hannah said that Logan is having sleepovers at her house now. I just can’t believe it.”
Claire picks up his forgotten jacket and hangs it on a hook. “Now do you believe me? Here she is.”
“Here I am.” I stand, pulling him up and onto my hip. He’s growing so big I might not be able to do this much longer.
“Will you take good care of Logan’s little men?” he asks, looping his arms around my neck.
“Absolutely.” I give him one last squeeze before placing him on the floor in the kitchen.
Ben looks at Ryan, who’s leaning against the counter, and tilts his head. “Do you live here too?”
“No, I’m visiting your Aunt Beck.”
“Do you have sleepovers?” he asks innocently. “Uncle Riot sometimes has sleepovers at my house. He sleeps on the couch. Do you sleep on the couch?”
Ryan glances at Claire, not sure how to answer her curious son.
She chuckles and says, “Ben has been very curious about sleepovers lately.”
Before Ryan can answer, Meg and Hannah arrive, and they’ve brought snacks.
“Happy housewarming and book club,” Meg says, handing me a small plant.
“Thank you. You didn’t have to get me anything,” I say, holding it up in front of my face, admiring its fuzzy little leaves and purple flowers. “I’ve never owned a plant before.”
“It’s an African violet. They are super easy to take care of. It doesn’t need direct sunlight, and you only need to water it when the top of the soil gets dry. It’s a great starter plant.”
“Awesome. It can hang out with Lucy on the counter,” I say, setting it down beside my little gnome.
“Are you settling in okay? Do you need anything?” Hannah asks.
“I’m settled in great, and no, I don’t need anything. Exactly what I said the last two times you asked me. I promise I am fine.”
“If you’re sure. I just worry.” To Ryan she says, “Logan is waiting for you out in the truck. He’s nervous.”
“I won’t keep him waiting.”
Turning to me, he steps forward and cups my jaw in his hands. My eyes drift shut as he bends down and presses a kiss on my lips. Releasing me, he winks. Swoon. “Have a good time. I’ll see you later.”
Moving around our friends towards the mudroom, he says, “Enjoy your book club. I can’t wait to hear all about what you’re reading.” We all watch silently as he puts on his shoes and jacket then leaves.
As soon as the door clicks, Meg pivots her head towards me with wide eyes. “Knowing there was something going on and witnessing it are two very different things. Wow.”
“I can’t believe you are the same two people that could barely stand to be in the same room six months ago.” Claire shakes her head. “But I’ll come back to that.”
Gazing down at Ben, she says, “Where do you want to be? I’ve brought you lots to do, and Auntie Beck said you can watch a movie in the spare room.”
We all tease her that her backpack is like Mary Poppins’s magic carpet bag. It seems bottomless, and no matter what you need, she probably has it with her.
“Ummmmm.” He pulls on his earlobe as he thinks. “Can I watch a superhero movie and play with Play-Doh?”
“No, Play-Doh is a kitchen table activity.” Claire shakes her head.
“What about a movie and colouring?” he negotiates.
“As long as you sit at the desk and keep your markers on the paper.”
“Can I have a snack?”
Claire looks to me for the answer. Oh, my house, my rules. I like it.
“What kind of snacks did you bring? Is there anything good in that bag?”
Taking the backpack from his mom’s hands, he drops it on the floor, unzips the front pocket, and peeks inside. “Goldfishy crackers, apple slices, and string cheese.” He looks up at me.
“That sounds yummy. Yes, go ahead. You can eat a snack in there.”
“I promise I won’t make a mess,” he says seriously.
“And if you do, we can clean it up together. Deal.”
“Come on,” Hannah says. “I’ll get you set up. Do you know what movie you want to watch?”
Ben takes her by the hand, explaining to her why Spider-Man is the best Marvel superhero, as they leave the room.
Over her shoulder she calls, “Don’t start talking about the R-rated stuff until I come back.”
“Okay. Please tell us all the R-rated stuff while my son is occupied in the other room.” Claire rubs her hands together and waggles her eyebrows.
Rolling my eyes, I walk to the stove and turn on the burner to boil water. “Be patient. I’m going to make hot chocolate. Are you okay with that, or do you want something else?”
“That sounds good,” Meg says as Claire nods her head in agreement.
Drinks in hand, Meg and I make our way to the living room. Claire comes behind, balancing a bakery box of donuts and the fruit tray Hannah insisted on bringing. We set everything out on the coffee table, then pick our spots to sit.
“Did you know that according to Ben, Spider-Man 2 is the very best Spider-Man movie ever?” Hannah says, plopping down in a chair.
Claire chuckles. “Don’t let Riot hear you say that. They have been arguing about it all week. Riot says it’s The Amazing Spider-Man.”
“The house looks amazing, Beck.” Hannah checks out all the changes I have made since the last time she was here. “Between all the small upgrades Logan made when he first bought it and everything you have done to decorate it, the house has had a real glow-up.”
“Thank you. No more ’90s décor for the yellow house. It has officially been yanked into this century.”
“Before I forget.” Meg leans forward, making sure she has our full attention.
“Do you remember I told you that there was a rumour going around? That there’s an author living in Emerley?
Last week, we received a delivery of books, and one caught my attention.
” Reaching into her bag, she pulls out a paperback and hands it to Claire.
“Pass it around and tell me what you see.”
Claire turns the book over in her hands, brow furrowing as she studies the cover before passing it to me.
A dark lake fills most of the image. The water is nearly black in the fading light, deep blue and muted grey blending along the tree line.
I run my thumb over the matte cover and read aloud, “Buried Secrets by Marla Brinshal. Never heard of her.” Shaking my head, I pass it to Hannah.
Her expression changes instantly. “That’s Crystal Lake. That’s my lake,” she says, tapping the corner of the image.
“How can you tell?” Claire asks. “It could be any lake.”
“Trust me, I recognize the lake I grew up on,” she says, flipping it over. “What’s it about?”
“That’s the strange thing,” Meg says. “The blurb is vague, but it’s about a woman who comes home to care for her aging mother after her father dies in a tragic accident.
She doesn’t think it’s an accident and investigates.
Is it me, or does it seem like the author is gathering inspiration from town gossip and then giving it a dark twist? ”
“I don’t know,” Claire says. “That seems like a bit of a stretch.”
“That’s…really weird.” Hannah flips the book over in her hands and frowns. “I wonder what else the author has written.”
Meg leans back and shrugs. “Maybe it’s just a coincidence, but I think I’m going to investigate this author later. I have time.” She takes the novel back and shoves it into her bag.
“So, Logan went to see Jackson? What made him change his mind?” I ask Hannah.
“Guilt mostly. He keeps wondering if he had been more present while he was growing up if things would have turned out differently. His mother has been pestering him as well.” She sighs, looking down at her hands. “I’m glad Ryan went with him. Maybe he will help give him some perspective.”
“If nothing else, Ryan will keep them from throwing fists in the visiting area. I’m sure the guards frown upon that.”
“Can you imagine?” Hannah laughs. “They’re lucky they aren’t both in jail.”
“Since we are talking about Ryan…” Claire smirks at me. “How’s that going?”